New York Jets senior defensive assistant and cornerbacks coach Tony Oden was hospitalized after he was caught in “friendly fire” in a skirmish during the Jets-Tampa Bay Buccaneers joint practice Wednesday.
Tensions were high throughout the practice with both teams reportedly chirping at each other throughout the day at the Jets training camp in Florham Park, New Jersey, and both teams reportedly got involved in a fight later on.
After the fight, ESPN reported Oden apparently collapsed on the sideline and was tended by medical personnel. He was then carted off the field as players took knees.
Following the practice, Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Oden was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution and he’s feeling good.
“During one of the altercations, I think he caught a some friendly fire, and so we took him for precaution,” Saleh told reporters. “He’s awake, he’s doing fine, he’s stable, so everything’s fine.”
Oden is a 20-year coaching veteran and has spent time with seven NFL teams since 2004. He was hired by the Jets in 2021.
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Fights at New York Jets-Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice
It’s common for things to escalate when teams take part in joint practices. It’s been a fiery first practice between the two teams before they face off in their preseason game Saturday. Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, who is entering his 10th year in the league, said this is most fights he’s ever seen in a joint practice, according to Yahoo Sports.
Saleh said it was a heated practice, but he wasn’t concerned with the amount of skirmishes Wednesday.
“It is what it is,” he said. “If you want to get a little extra conditioning in and have a little skirmish of pushing and shoving, go ahead. It’s not gonna hurt you, but it doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t matter.”
The Jets will host the Bucs in their preseason matchup on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
